Why just a year?

Public Archive
1

Does anyone know why Herceptin is just given for 18 doses a year for primary breast cancer? What happens after than time if you are HER2?

2

Hi Starfish

You just asked the question I’d like to know the answer to as well. I’m just about to have my 4th herceptin and am Her 2+++.

Lets hope we get an answer.

All the best to you

3

Hi ladies,

I have passed this on to our clinical nurse specialists asking if they can explain this for you.

Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator

4

I was told by my Onc that there is no proof that more is better with Herceptin.

I’ve had 10 now and was told it would be for a year.

It is worrying what might happen once it stops - so why can’t we stay on it for longer?

5

I just want to clarify that the HERA trial that found that a year of herceptin was beneficial included a comparison group that received herceptin for two years. The results for a year of herceptin were so stunning that they were rushed out a month before being announced at a conference. That was May 2005. The results for the women who received herceptin for two years have been promised time and time again since then, but nothing has been forthcoming, which would seem to indicate that the results for two years of herceptin have not yet shown any substantial benefit. A patient who posts on the her2support website has claimed that her big name oncologist at one of the big New York city hospitals confirmed that the two year arn had not shown enough advantage over two years.

There would be a number of downsides to having herceptin for longer. The side effects get progressively worse the longer the treatment lasts. For me, the last three months I was just worn out. Also, I think that spending too much time around a cancer hospital makes it hard to get over the disease and get back to some sort of normal life.

6

I agree Christine. I too became worn out with the last three months of herceptin, and the relief I felt on having no 18 and being told they didn’t want to see me for another year was huge.

7

I only get 17 Herceptins at my hospital, and will finish next month. I find I’ve been increasingly worn out and I was worried that the reason may be that my heart was feeling the effects. I am due an ECHO after my next (16th) infusion.

I’ve been told by my oncologist that I will continue to have ECHO’s for a year after I’ve finished Herceptin. Does anyone else have this? I was surprised as (so far) my heart has remained stable at around 65-70.

xxx

8

Hi justme,

Did you have herceptin with chemo or just after chemo? There was some concern about late effects on the heart when herceptin was given with chemo, although the drug seems to be more effective when used that way.

9

Hello Christine,

I started Herceptin after chemo (4 each of FEC and Tax), with chemo finishing November 07, followed by radio. I started Herceptin in March 08 so quite a time lapse!

xxx

10

I only had ECHOs while actually on Herceptin. I asked if I needed another after finishing and was told that I didn’t My heart function remained above the required level throughout, although there was quite a drop after each 3 months, ending up at about 60, I think.
Anne

11

I had my final echo just before my last herceptin. My heart function always seemed to stay much the same - low 50s - so I don’t think the exhaustion is to do with the heart.